CIAN O’CONNOR is unequivocal in his belief the €300,000 reportedly spent by Horse Sport Ireland on participation in the recent Alltech World Equestrian Games was not excessive.

SHOW JUMPER Billy Twomey yesterday rejected the notion that he is on rescue mission for Ireland at the Alltech World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky.

WHEN Robert Splaine is asked to consider what he has learned in the five years since becoming Ireland show jumping team manager, he pauses, before settling on the importance of communication.

SARAH WARDELL yesterday took the first step in making up for an aborted effort with Kincluny earlier this month at Burghley, by taking poll position on day one of the CCI three-star at Ballindenisk, Co Cork.

THE bright orange of the Netherlands shone in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show yesterday, but a superb comeback by the Irish, featuring clear rounds from Cian O’Connor and a pain-wracked Denis Lynch gave the crowd plenty to cheer about.

SHOW jumper Cian O’Connor is not short of confidence, but he is sure it is well placed in expecting a good outcome for Ireland in today’s nations cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

SHOW jumper Dermott Lennon yesterday demonstrated in style that he and Hallmark Elite were suffering no ill-effects from their travails at last week’s Hickstead.

SHANE BREEN yesterday gave Ireland the perfect start at Hickstead ahead of today’s nations cup, taking two of the three international classes.

THE Irish show jumping squad that recently won the German Nations Cup has been selected by manager Robert Splaine for next week’s Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

Team Ireland Equestrian’s Show Jumping Team Manager Robert Splaine today announced his squad for the Nations' Cup of Germany which will take place in Aachen next Thursday night, July 15.

CLEAR rounds from show jumpers Billy Twomey, Cian O’Connor and Cameron Hanley saw Ireland finish equal third yesterday in a highly competitive second leg of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup Series in Rome, Italy.

IRELAND show jumping manager Robert Splaine says the coming outdoor season will be “tough”, as he tries to balance the demands put on resources by the Meydan FEI Nations Cup Series and September’s Alltech World Equestrian Games.